Clingstone peach tree named &#39;Goodwin&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of early-season clingstone peach tree (i.e.,  Prunus persica ) is provided. Attractive fruit is formed that is well suited for processing having uniform yellow flesh that is free from red staining at the pit cavity. The fruit color, flavor, and texture are believed to be superior to the ‘Dixon’ and ‘Andross’ cultivars (both non-patented in the United States). The fruit ripens at approximately four days earlier than the ‘Andross’ cultivar. The pink flowers are medium-sized and non-showy and the growth habit is uprightspreading.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The new clingstone peach cultivar was created at Davis, Califa.,U.S.A., in 1983 as part of a breeding program of the University ofCalifornia for the development of improved processing peaches. Duringthe course of the breeding program that yielded the new cultivar of thepresent invention, many seedlings were developed and evaluated. Anobjective of the program was to develop a superior replacement cultivarfor the early-maturity ‘Dixon’ and ‘Andross’ cultivars (bothnon-patented in the United States). The ‘Dixon’ cultivar originated atLinden, Califa., U.S.A., and was introduced during 1956. Trees of thiscultivar are recognized to be highly productive and yield yellow-goldfruit that commonly displays a pink to red coloration at the pit areathat is attributable to the formation of anthocyanins. The redcoloration often oxidizes to brown when canned and thereby provides lessthan optimum fruit color as well as an undesirable brown staining of thecanned syrup. Additionally, the red-stained stone or endocarp of the‘Dixon’ cultivar tends to be prone to breakage during processing andsometimes imparts unwanted pit fragments to the fruit flesh that aredifficult to remove.

[0002] The ‘Andross’ cultivar originated at the University of Californiaat Davis, Califa., U.S.A., and was introduced in 1964. Trees of the‘Andross’ cultivar consistently set heavy crops, have leaves withglobose glands, and flowers of the large non-showy type. The ‘Andross’cultivar also produces fruit having red-staining of the pit area andunwanted higher frequencies of stone or endocarp fragments in theprocessed fruit flesh.

[0003] The female parent (i.e., seed parent) of the new cultivar was aUniversity of California processing peach breeding line named ‘11,11-37’ (non-patented in the United States). The male parent (i.e.,pollen parent) of the new cultivar was the ‘Dr. Davis’ cultivar(non-patented in the United States). The parentage of the new cultivarof the present invention can be summarized as follows:

‘11, 11-37’×‘Dr. Davis’.

[0004] Four seedlings from this cross were recovered in 1984, and havebeen carefully studied and evaluated thereafter. The new cultivar wasselected from among these and was designated ‘R, 7-5’ and ‘Early #3’.

[0005] It was found that the new clingstone peach cultivar of thepresent invention:

[0006] (a) exhibits an upright-spreading growth habit,

[0007] (b) forms medium-sized non-showy pink flowers,

[0008] (c) forms attractive fruit having uniform yellow flesh that isfree from red staining at the pit cavity,

[0009] (d) ripens approximately four days earlier than the ‘Andross’cultivar (non-patented in the United States), and

[0010] (e) is particularly well suited for processing.

[0011] The new cultivar has been asexually propagated at Davis, Calif.;Winters, Calif.; and Parlier, Calif., U.S.A., by grafting on peachrootstocks. Such propagation has confirmed that the characteristics ofthe new cultivar are stable and are reliably transmitted to subsequentgenerations.

[0012] The new cultivar of the present invention is considered to offersuperior characteristics when compared to the previously-availableearly-maturity processing peach cultivars ‘Dixon’ and ‘Andross’. Unlikethese cultivars, the new cultivar is free from red staining at the pitcavity. The fruit flesh is bright yellow to yellow-gold and the fruitcolor, flavor and texture have been rated superior to the ‘Dixon’ and‘Andross’ cultivars. The fruit skin is slightly less pubescent than thatof the ‘Andross’ cultivar with a more uniform golden-yellow color. Thepit size is medium to slightly below average. Some split pits occurduring high crop years however at a lower rate than the ‘Dixon’ and‘Andross’ cultivars. The crop yield for the new cultivar appears toaverage and somewhat lower than that of the ‘Andross’ cultivar thuscommonly requiring less thinning following a high-chill winter. Thefruit hangers are similar to those of the ‘Andross’ cultivar and a bitdenser. The leaves are medium to dark green and similar in size to thoseof the ‘Andross’ cultivar. Unlike the ‘Andross’ cultivar, reniform leafglands are present. The flowers of new cultivar are pink and non-showy.

[0013] The new cultivar of the present invention has been tested inplantings at Davis, Calif.; Winters, Calif.; and Parlier, Calif., U.S.A.

[0014] Wood of the new cultivar has been subjected to the virus indexingprogram of Foundation Plant Materials Service, University of Californiaat Davis, Calif., U.S.A. All indices have proven to be negative forviruses for foundation trees of this genotype being maintained by suchFoundation Plant Materials Service.

[0015] The new cultivar of the present invention has been named‘Goodwin’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0016] The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of trees,foliage, fruit, and stone of the new cultivar of the present inventionin color as true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in colorillustrations of this character. Trees of the new cultivar were beinggrown at Davis, Calif., U.S.A.

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates trees having an age of approximately six yearson Mar. 10, 2000. The non-showy flowers are shown as well as theuprightspreading growth habit.

[0018]FIG. 2 illustrates on Aug. 3, 1999 external and internal views ofthe fruit, stone, and of a leaflet of the new cultivar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following is a detailed description of the new cultivarobtained from the observation of vegetatively propagated progeny of thenew cultivar during the 1999 and 2000 growing seasons. The trees weregrown at the Wolfskill Experimental Orchards of the University ofCalifornia located at Winters, Calif., U.S.A., and at the University ofCalifornia Pomology Research Plots located at Davis, Calif., U.S.A.Color designations are presented with reference to the “Dictionary ofColor” by Maerz and Paul, First Edition (1930). More common color termsare to be accorded their customary dictionary significance.

[0020] BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

[0021]Prunus persica.—cv. ‘Goodwin’.

[0022] TREE

[0023]Size.—Medium. The trees resulting from the asexual propagation of1998 during the fall of 2000 had a height of approximately 3.3 meters, abreadth of approximately 3.4 meters across the crown, and commonlypossessed approximately four scaffolds.

[0024]Vigor.—Medium. Produced approximately 0.61 to 0.92 meter of newgrowth during the 2000 growing season.

[0025]Growth.—Upright-spreading.

[0026]Hardiness.—Hardy under typical Sacramento Valley climaticconditions.

[0027]Production.—Productive.

[0028]Bearing.—Regular bearer.

[0029] TRUNK

[0030]Size.—Medium to large. The trunk diameter at 10 cm above theground is approximately 21 cm. The scaffold diameters at the base of thescaffolds are approximately 10 cm.

[0031]Texture.—Relatively coarse with substantial scarfskin.

[0032]Color.—The bark color ranges from brown-grey (15-H-7 Olive Brown)to more medium brown (8-H-10 Chocolate Brown).

[0033]Lenticels.—Numerous, medium in size, flattened and generallyoval-shaped. Typically the lenticels range from approximately 2 to 6 mmin width at a right angle to the trunk and are approximately 1 to 2 mmin height. The lenticel surface is light brown in coloration (13-J-9Hazel Brown).

[0034] BRANCHES

[0035]Size.—Medium.

[0036]Texture.—Medium.

[0037]Color.—Mature shoots are light brown (14-J-9 Mummy Brown) todarker brown (7-H-12 Mohawk Brown). The current season's shoots are palelight green (18-K-5). The exposed surfaces are commonly tinged rosered(5-K-10 Ember). The coloration of the new expanding shoot tips is brightyellow green (17-L-4).

[0038]Lenticels.—At a right angle to the shoots, and light incoloration.

[0039]Internode Length.—On current season's hanger shoots the lengthbetween nodes commonly is approximately 10 to 25 mm.

[0040] LEAVES

[0041]Size.—Medium to large. Typical length from vigorous currentseason's growth is approximately 16.1 to 19.6 cm including the petiole,and typical width is approximately 3.7 to 4.6 cm. The leaf thickness isaverage.

[0042]Form.—Lanceolate.

[0043]Apex.—Acuminate and often with a slight curve downward.

[0044]Aspect.—The blade commonly ranges from substantially flat tosomewhat folded upwards.

[0045]Color.—The upper surface is dark green (23-J-5 Elm Green) and thelower surface is a much lighter grey-green (21-1-6). The primary andmid-vein on the under surface is pale yellowgreen (17-H-1).

[0046]Margin.—Crenate and occasionally double crenate. The crenationsare relatively large and uniform. The leaf margins commonly range fromstraight to moderately undulate.

[0047]Petiole.—Generally medium in size, commonly approximately 8 to 12mm in length, approximately 2 mm in thickness, and pale yellow-green incoloration (17-K-3).

[0048]Glands.—Small to medium in size, almost always reniform,alternate, commonly 1 to 3 on the petiole, and frequently 0 to 3additional glands can be observed at the base of the leaf blade. Thecoloration is shiny light greenyellow (17-K-6) and often with a reddishcenter.

[0049]Stipules.—Linear lanceolate in configuration, most are earlydeciduous, margins are serrate, commonly approximately 6 to 9 mm inlength, and the coloration of young stipules commonly is lightgreen-yellow (17-K-5) with darkening to brownish upon aging.

[0050] FRUIT

[0051]Maturity.—

[0052]When Described.—Full commercial maturity.

[0053]Picking.—First pick was Jul. 24, 2000 and last pick was JuL. 29,2000.

[0054]Season of Maturity.—Approximately four days earlier than the‘Andross’ cultivar.

[0055]Size.—Uniform, large. Average axial diameter is approximately 60to 65 mm, the average suture diameter is approximately 65 to 71 mm, andthe average cheek diameter is approximately 64 to 70 mm.

[0056]Form.—In lateral aspect the fruit is slightly oblate, and in theapical aspect is nearly globose with slight variability. Most frequentlythe fruit is slightly asymmetrical.

[0057]Suture.—As an inconspicuous line. Is slightly deeper at the baseand with a slight depression at the apex.

[0058]Ventral Surface.—Relatively smooth and only occasionally lipped.

[0059]Base.—Rounded to slightly truncate in form. The base angle isslightly variable and most often is at a right angle to the fruit axes.

[0060]Stem Cavity.—Broad and moderately deep, commonly approximately 3.3cm in length on average, approximately 2.2 cm in width on average, andapproximately 1.6 cm in depth on average.

[0061]Apex.—Commonly rounded with a low to medium tip. The pistil pointcommonly is apical.

[0062]Pistil Point.—Most frequently is oblique.

[0063]Stem Length.—Medium, and commonly averages 1.0 cm.

[0064]Stem Thickness. Commonly averages approximately 3 to 3.3 mm andusually is more thickened at the distal end.

[0065]Skin Pubescence.—Fine, short, and matted. Commonly with slightlyless pubescence than the ‘Andross’ cultivar.

[0066]Skin Tendency to Split.—None observed.

[0067]Skin Color.—The primary ground color is uniform orangeyellow(10-J-6). The fruit surface has a moderate amount of blush colorationthat commonly covers approximately 20 to 60 percent of the totalsurface. Fruit exposed to direct sunlight commonly possesses more blush.The blush pattern is primarily washed with a moderate amount of darkmottling. The blush color ranges from dark garnet red (7-E-5) to alighter shade of red (6-K-7) with a range of variation in between.

[0068]Flesh Color.—A uniform yellow coloration from the skin to thestone cavity (10-K-5).

[0069]Flesh Texture.—Firm, and non-melting.

[0070]Flesh Fibers.—Few in number, short and fine.

[0071]Ripening.—Ripens evenly.

[0072]Flavor.—Excellent quality, rich and well-balanced. Rated superiorto that of the ‘Andross’ cultivar in taste trials.

[0073]Aroma.—Pleasant and moderate.

[0074]Eating Quality.—Good.

[0075]Canning Quality.—Very good.

[0076]Stone Type.—Clingstone with flesh connected over the entire stonesurface.

[0077]Stone Size.—Medium to slightly below average, and commonlyaverages approximately 28.6 mm in length, approximately 22.2 mm inwidth, and approximately 17.3 mm in thickness.

[0078]Stone Fibers.—Numerous very short and fine fibers attachedlaterally to the stone.

[0079]Stone Form.—Variable, but most often slightly obovate.

[0080]Stone Base.—Typically positioned at right angles to slightlyoblique to the stone axis.

[0081]Stone Hilum.—Medium to small in size, well defmed, and surroundedby a raised collar.

[0082]Stone Apex.—Generally rounded with a broad rather blunt tip.

[0083]Stone Sides.—Variable and most often nearly equal.

[0084]Stone Surface.—Moderately coarse with the heaviest grooving beingpresent apically over the lateral apical shoulders. Several deep groovesare present near the dorsal and ventral edges and meet the edges at anoblique angle.

[0085]Ventral Edge.—Medium in width with several low wings.

[0086]Dorsal Edge.—Somewhat variable in form, and most commonly thedorsal suture is moderately narrow with a deep groove extending from thebase to the apical shoulder. The apical shoulder area is somewhat erodedand somewhat concave in configuration.

[0087]Stone Color.—When dry, light clay-brown (13-B-8).

[0088]Tendency to Split.—Low to moderate, and similar to that of the‘Andross’ cultivar.

[0089] FLOWERS

[0090]Chilling Season.—Low to medium for the growing location. Therewere approximately 1,200 chilling hours below 45° F. for the 1999 winterseason, and approximately 770 hours below 45° F. for the 2000 winterseason.

[0091]Buds.—Medium in size, conic in form, plump, free of the stem withpubescent surfaces of light grey coloration. The exterior bud scaleranges from grey (15-A-6 Beaver Grey) to greybrown (15-A-8 Winter LeafBrown) in coloration. The buds are hardy under typical climaticconditions of the Sacramento Valley. There commonly are one to twofloral buds per node and most frequently two floral buds per node.

[0092]Bloom Timing.—Mid-season in relation to other commercial clingpeach cultivars. During 1999 and 2000 the bloom periods weresubstantially the same as the ‘Andross’ cultivar.

[0093]Size.—The flower size is medium and non-showy. The fully expandedflower diameter commonly is approximately 26 to 32 mm.

[0094]Bloom Ouality.—Commonly abundant throughout the tree. Therecommonly are two flowers per node.

[0095]Petals.—The petal size is medium to large and commonly ranges fromapproximately 12 to 14 mm in length and from approximately 8 to 10 mm inwidth. The petal number is five.

[0096] The petal form varies from broadly ovate to at times nearly oval.The petal color is very light pink (1-B-1) at the central area and darkpink (1-E-2) along the margin. The petal claw is relatively narrow andtruncate in form. The claw color is dark pink (1-G-2). The petal marginsare moderately undulate and the petals are substantially cupped inward.The petal apices are commonly rounded with no tip.

[0097]Pedicel.—Relatively short and commonly exhibits a length ofapproximately 1 to 1.5 mm and an average thickness of approximately 1mm. The coloration is light green (18-I-7) and the surface is glabrous.

[0098]Nectaries.—Moderately bright orange (11-J-11) and become slightlydarker at maturity.

[0099]Calx.—Glabrous and quite rugose, and the coloration is lightmaroon (5-J-4) with areas of green (19-L-2 Jewel Green) especiallybasally, and darkening to intense maroon (6-J-5 Rubaiyat).

[0100]Sepals.—With greyish pubescence, average in size, conic in form,and dark maroon (6-J-4 to 6-J-5) in coloration.

[0101]Anthers.—Average in size, red dorsally (5-L-11 Brickdust) and tanventrally (Chamois 11-I-5).

[0102]Stamens.—Medium in length and commonly slightly longer than thepistil at fall maturity. The filament color is nearly white when thebloom first opens, and darkens to dull light violet (4-H-3) withsenescence.

[0103]Pollen.—Abundant, bright yellow (Empire Yellow 9-K-3) incoloration.

[0104]Pistil.—Pubescent basally over the ovary, and less so near thestigma and over the upper style area. The length commonly isapproximately 12 to 15 mm including the ovary. The coloration basally ispale green (17-J-3) and a paler green (17-J-1) over the upper stylearea.

[0105]MAJOR USE.—Canning.

[0106] KEEPING

[0107]QUALITY.—Good.

[0108]RESISTANCE TO INSECTS AND DISEASES.—Average.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of clingstone peach tree havingthe following combination of characteristics: (a) exhibits anupright-spreading growth habit, (b) forms medium-sized non-showy pinkflowers, (c) forms attractive fruit having uniform yellow flesh that isfree from red staining at the pit cavity, (d) ripens approximately fourdays earlier than the ‘Andross’ cultivar (non-patented in the UnitedStates), and (e) is particularly well suited for processing;substantially as illustrated and described.